A SWEEP operation by the police in Nicosia on Sunday bagged four illegal aliens as part of an ongoing campaign to crack down on illegal immigrants.
The sweep began at around 7.30pm on Sunday. A force of around 120 police officers converged on Nicosia’s Eleftheria Square, a popular hangout for immigrants. They sealed off possible escape routes and began ID checks of foreigners in the area.
More than 200 foreigners were checked for identification. Sixty-one did not have documentation on their person, and were led to the police station for verification. Out of these, four (two Pakistanis, a Jordanian and a Russian) turned out to be residing illegally in Cyprus.
During the operation, a group of five foreigners tried to flee the scene, but were chased and apprehended by the police.
The unprecedented police force comprised officers from a number of departments, including the drugs squad, immigration, crime prevention and the riot squad.
Deputy Chief of Operations Soteris Charalambous said the operation was directly linked to Saturday’s incident where a large group of foreigners, mostly Pontian Greeks, attacked police officers trying to control a Greek Georgian who was resisting arrest.
The incident took place at Eleftheria Square after two officers pulled over a man who was driving without a driver’s licence and insurance. The man tried to run away, but was caught and escorted back to his car for more questioning. At that point, police say, he began resisting arrest. The commotion drew the interest of some 100 foreigners who tried to set the Georgian free. After some shoving and pushing, police called in backup; in the ensuing scuffles, two officers suffered minor injuries and were taken to hospital for treatment.
Police say the majority of foreigners who attacked the police were Pontian Greeks. Eight people, including the driver, were placed under arrest and charged; they await their arraignment, probably sometime this week.
Sunday’s sweep operation was intended to convey the message that the police force should be respected, Soteriou said.
And police spokesman Demetris Demetriou said such blitz operations would continue to take place in all major cities.
